What is going on in the National League East, this strange division of flawed teams? Whatever — it is working for the 17-13 Mets right now, and not so much for the 14-17 Phils.

In this game, the Mets overcame a mediocre start from Miguel Batista, two errors and a four-run deficit to win a second consecutive game, 7-4.

In the afterglow, Terry Collins was able to smile when explaining the emotional impact of a messy and inspired team.

"That's what young players can do to you," the manager said. "They're playing with all their heart. . . . When you have a young team, sometimes they're going to make you pull your hair out."

This two-sided stinker turned with two outs in the seventh. Beginning with Andres Torres, four consecutive singles made a 4-1 deficit a 5-4 lead. The Mets did not, however, accomplish that without assistance. After Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit an RBI single, David Wright singled to right field. The throw went home behind a scoring Torres, and Wright was caught between first and second — although that was on purpose, an attempt at self-sacrifice that would allow Nieuwenhuis to score.

Wright should have been out, but second baseman Pete Orr — seeing that no Phillie was covering second — threw to third, in an attempt to nab Nieuwenhuis.

The ball sailed toward the stands, Nieuwenhuis scored to tie the game, and Wright was safe at third. Metsian baseball, or what used to be, done Philadelphia-style.

The night began as an ugly one for Miguel Batista, and ended steadily enough to ensure him another chance, most likely. Batista allowed four runs (two earned) in 51/3 innings, but he is not necessarily the Mets' fifth starter until Chris Young returns from shoulder surgery, which the team hopes will happen within a month.

The Mets actually have an old friend in mind as a possible alternative to hold down Mike Pelfrey's old spot — Jenrry Mejia, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May.

"A lot of people might forget about Mejia," said one high-ranking team official of the 22-year-old, who is scheduled to make a start in the Florida State League on Wednesday. "But he is progressing very well, and he could be in position to make a start for us before long."

Four batters into this game, the Phillies led, 2-0, due to a Hunter Pence home run. The Phils added another two runs in the second, when the Met defense was unkind to Batista. The inning began with John Mayberry Jr. dashing to second on a Jordany Valdespin throwing error; he later scored. As the game progressed, hilarity ensued.

Take that wacky seventh. Or the two Ramon Ramirez wild pitches that allowed a runner to reach third base in the eighth. Or the Phillies' failure in two chances to drive that runner in, and tie the game. Or the Philly bullpen allowing the Mets to tack on two runs in the ninth.

You get the idea. Bad baseball. Both sides. Still, there is this: The Mets won, on what seemed like a lost night for them.